The Spotlight is on Robert Appelbaum The author of our CORBA questions.

RN: Please describe your typical consulting engagements?

Rob: Typically, my clients hire me to assist on projects which utilize new and potentially unfamiliar technologies. My role is to provide architectural leadership and guidance as well as to educate and mentor their staff on the new technologies. Typically, new technologies may include CORBA, Java, J2EE, LDAP, and XML.

RN: What interested you in writing ReviewNet tests?

Rob: Over the last several years I have performed numerous technical CORBA interviews for project I have been involved with. I was interested in writing a CORBA test for ReviewNet as a way to reduce the effort related to the time consuming technical interview process. In addition, delivering a CORBA QSet with ReviewNet provides me with an introduction to numerous potential clients which require my expertise.

RN: What did you enjoy most about writing the CORBA test?

Rob: Writing the CORBA QSet for ReviewNet gave me an excuse to reopen the various CORBA specifications. While double checking the accuracy of my questions and answers, I was able to improve my overall competency within the CORBA domain.

RN: How did you first get involved in writing technical articles?

Rob: I first got involved in writing technical articles during a lunch at an OMG meeting. I was sitting with the editor of Object Magazine (now Component Strategies) and the CTO of Object Design. Over lunch we discussed the relationship between CORBA and Object Databases. This topic ended up being covered in the first of many technical articles. Please see http://www.effectivecomputing.com for information on my additional publications

RN: What do you feel is your biggest professional accomplishment?

Rob: Professionally speaking, my biggest accomplishment to date is related to my current assignment at the Bank of New York. I have been leading the architecture, design and development of reusable security components for CORBA and J2EE based systems.

RN: What advice would you give to someone learning your discipline? Are there significant barriers to learning about this subject?

Rob: The most significant barrier to learning about CORBA is the extremely large volume of information. The best suggestion I could make would be to utilize recent books and web sites in order to gain a high level understanding of the various CORBA specifications. Then, don't be afraid to download some of the actual specifications in order to gain more specific knowledge within the particular required areas.